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How do I increase my flexibility in my back for a higher arabesque and ponche?

I have almost a perfect split on my right side and I'm close on my left but my ponche is not perfect. What are some easy stretches that I can do IN MY DORM ROOM that will increase my flexibility in my legs for kicks and ponches? Also, my arabesque is lacking, how do I stretch to get it higher?

Public Comments

1. Here is a little unusual arabesque stretch exercise..... Using a chair....... Stand on both feet in ballet second position (but it would also be best if it is in first position), and hold both hands on the top part of the chair. Using the hands as sort of a "barre", bring your free leg into a simple arabesque. Don't "releve" your supporting leg yet! At first, when the arabesque leg is raised, the arms are bent. Now.... Slowly straighten your arms, and at the same time, letting the chest nearly touch the chair, bring your supporting leg into demi-pointe or releve, and try to stretch that arabesque higher. Hold that stretch for 10 seconds. If you are better at it, hold it for 15-20 seconds. But it will take time. It will take 21-28 days doing this exercise every day to get results. By the way.... "Ponche" is misspelled. It should be "penche'e". (from the French "pencher", to lean). This is referring to the "arabesque penchee"---one of the most difficult arabesques you can do in ballet. Here is another stretch especially for arabesque penchee: Use the free leg, and put that free leg's feet on an end of a table or desk for support. Now lean your upper body back so you are almost in touch-toe position. The supporting leg should be bent. When you lean forward, you should feel a stretch in the hamstrings. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds, and relax, and do about 4-6 repetitions.
2. Get a chair and stand in front of it and turn round and then lift up arms and bend backwards like into a crab
3. It sounds like you're not lacking flexibility, you're lacking strength. You need to have a strong back to be able to lift your leg up in both arabesque and penche. Ask your teacher for some exercises to do to increase the strength of your back because they are too complicated for me to explain by just typing them.